Appointed October 2023 

·   PhD- Chemistry – University of the Witwatersrand.

·   MSc- Chemistry – Eastern Illinois University.

·   BSc- Honors- Chemistry

·   BSc- majoring in Physics and Chemistry-

·   University Education Diploma -majoring in Mathematics Methodology and Physical Science Methodology – University of Venda.

Dr Tshavhungwe has more than 30 years of experience in academia and the public service. He holds postgraduate qualifications in chemistry from institutions in SA (PhD, University of the Witwatersrand) and the United States of America (Master of Science, Eastern Illinois University). 

He is a member of the South African Chemical Institute (SACI) and a committee member of the SACI Green Chemistry Division.

    Appointed October 2023

·   PhD-Science of Measurement/Chemistry- University of Science & Technology (South Korea)

·   MSc-Chemistry- University of The Witwatersrand

·   BSc (Hons)- Chemistry- University of Venda

·   Advance Project Management Certificate- University of Cape Town

·   Project Management Certificate - Camblish Training Institute

Dr. James Tshilongo is a highly accomplished professional with a diverse background in the science of measurement, minerals, environmental science, academia, and air quality. He is currently serving as the Executive Manager - Analytical Chemistry Division at the Council for Mineral Technology (MINTEK).

He holds a PhD in Science of Measurement from the University of Science and Technology (UST), South Korea (SK), through a collaboration with the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS).

He spent years working at NMISA, holding several positions from intern up to Head: Gas Analysis Section and Program Manager: Commercial Services. He holds an Honorary Research in the School of Chemistry at the University of the Witwatersrand and a research fellow at the University of South Africa. He is actively engaged in leadership roles within the local industries. He serves as a member of the Expanded Freshwater and Terrestrial Environmental Observation Network (EFTEON) advisory panel for the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON). He is also a member of the Council for the National Association of Clean Air (NACA) as well as serving as a member of the Editorial Board for the Clean Air Journal, emphasizing his involvement in promoting research and knowledge sharing in the field of clean air and environmental quality.

His career spans 20 years in the field of metrology, minerals, environmental, academic, and air quality sectors. His integrated approach is characterized by strong leadership, a robust metrology foundation, academic and scientific expertise, and a commitment to quality standards.​​

    Appointed October 2023

·   Bcom Accounting- Nelson Mandela University 2002

·   Bcom Accounting- Honors- University of KwaZulu Natal

·   CA (SA) – 2007

Babalwa Songongo, was born and bred in the city of Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape, and has immense experience in the Finance Field. She is a Chartered Accountant by profession, having graduated with a BCom Degree in Accounting from the then University of Port Elizabeth now known as Nelson Mandela University in 2002.  She went on to complete her postgraduate studies and completed a BCom honours Degree the following year with the University of KwaZulu Natal. She commenced and completed her training articles through PriceWaterhouse Coopers in Gqeberha where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant (SA) in 2007.

Outside her profession, she is a sister, a wife, and a mother to two beautiful young boys aged 7 and 2 respectively. Her current role is that of Finance Manager in Gqeberha, EC which she has held since January 2019 to date.

Before joining Preferred Provider Negotiators, Babalwa held some senior positions such as Regional Finance Manager at Absa Bank and Management Accountant at Coega Development Corporation where she also had the opportunity to briefly act in the position of CFO gaining a lot of experience in interacting with important stakeholders such as the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition as well as National Treasury.

Inspirational Quote

“It always seems impossible until it's done." – Nelson Mandela​​ ​​

Appointed October 2023 

• MSc- Metallurgy- University of Pretoria
• BSC-Honors- Metallurgy- University of Pretoria
• BSC Chemistry - Stellenbosch University

Sara is the Chief Executive Officer of UIS Analytical Services, an accredited chemical testing laboratory.  She has extensive experience in strategic business management, financial management, accreditation, and, as a certified Six Sigma Green Belt, using business analytics and data analysis towards business turnaround and production optimisation.

She also has a background in public industry where she worked at the CSIR as a well-published scientific researcher, and at the NMISA, where she was Research and Knowledge Manager. She has been intimately involved in standards development projects in nanotechnologies, surface characterisation, and biofuels, and was a project member of the first AFRMETS Metrology School organising committee.

 ​Inspirational quote

“If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing well. If it is worth having, it is worth waiting for. If it is worth attaining, it is worth fighting for. If it is worth experiencing, it is worth putting aside time for." - Oscar Wilde

Appointed 2023

• PhD- University of Cambridge
  
• MSc- University of Cape Town
• ​BSc- Hons- University of Cape Town

Dr Motshwene is currently a Senior Lecturer in the Division of Biochemistry at the University of Pretoria. His qualifications include a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Cambridge in the U.K., where he also worked as a Research Associate.

Based on his professional experience, he was appointed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Board to serve on their Research Ethics Committee (REC).

The CSIR REC is an extension of the board that reviews and approves all projects for ethical clearance. As the REC, they are responsible for actively monitoring projects for compliance with policy and national regulations.

Furthermore, he has also done consulting work for the audit firm SNG – Grant Thornton in auditing a multimillion-rand intellectual property commercialisation licensing agreement between a state-owned enterprise and a private company. 

Inspirational Quote

For every successful man or woman, there will always be someone who will say “I went to school with him/her".

    ​Appointed October 2023 

·   PhD- Physics- University of the Free State

·   MSc- Physics- University of the Free State

·   BSc- Honors- Physics-, University of the Free State

·   BSc- Physics and Chemistry- University of the Free State

Wynand Louw was born in the north-eastern Free State, attended a rural “farm" school, and from these humble beginnings, became a Solid-State Physicist that obtained his MSc and PhD from the University of the Free State and spent 20 years as a material and material characterisation researcher at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

He also collaborated on various research projects at universities and research institutions nationally and internationally, including France, Germany, and the USA.

He was the manager for Metrology in Chemistry and Biology from 2000 to 2002, then became the General Manager of the CSIR NML, and from 2005 to 2007 assisted the (then) dti in writing a new South-African Metrology Act and establishing the National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA). With the inception of NMISA in May 2007, he was appointed as the Acting CEO. With the appointment of a CEO in 2010, Dr Louw became the Director of the Regional, International Liaison and Innovation Division, the position he held until his retirement from NMISA in 2023. 

Since 2014, Dr Louw has been the National Champion for Materials Research within the South African Research Infrastructure (SARIR) of the Department of Science and Innovation, DSI, and is currently developing a national program for Materials Characterisation.

In 2013 he was elected to the CIPM and in 2014 became the President of the Consultative Committee for Ionising Radiation (CCRI). In 2019 he was elected to the Presidency of the CIPM, the first ever President from Africa, and in 2023 was re-elected for a second term of 4 years. He is currently leading the development of a Strategy 30+ for the International Bureau of Weights and Measures, BIPM.

Inspirational Quote

“From a humble background, everything is possible through hard work, dedication and most importantly, treating everyone you meet irrespective of their beginnings, race, or social standing, with respect".​​​

    Appointed October 2023 

·   BSc- Zoology and Botany- University of the Western Cape

·   BSc- Honours- Zoology- University of the Western Cape

·   Higher Diploma Education- UNISA

·   B.Ed- UNISA

·   MPhil- Science Ed- University of the Western Cape

·   PhD-LSU- Baton Rouge- USA

Prof. Lorna B. Holtman is a highly accomplished academic with a distinguished career of 35 years in the Higher Education sector and has made significant contributions to academia and research in the fields of science and math education.

She served as the Director of the Division for Postgraduate Studies at UWC for 15 years. During her tenure, she played a crucial role in fostering cross-institutional collaboration and establishing strategic relationships worldwide.

Prof. Holtman's international engagement includes coordinating multiple Erasmus Mundus projects, and prestigious scholarship programs that promote mobility and collaboration among European and South African universities.

Her passion for public speaking has been ignited by her involvement in four Toastmasters Clubs, where she serves as a charter member.  She is a qualified science teacher, and also a Certified Reinvention Practitioner, specialising in career pathing for young professionals in higher education.

Inspirational Quote

"'Sometimes you Win.  Sometimes you Learn." – John Maxwell

    Appointed October 2023 

·   BSc- Physics- University of Cape Town

·   BSc-(Hons)- University of Cape Town

·   PGCE- University of Cape Town

·   MSc-Nuclear Physics- University of Cape Town

·   PhD- Experimental Nuclear Physics- University of Cape Town

Andy Buffler is a professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, the Director of the Metrological and Applied Sciences University Research Unit (MeASURe), and the former Head of Physics at UCT.

His research interests are mainly related to the measurement of neutrons and gamma radiation fields, most often with industrial or workplace applications. He has been extensively involved with the development and use of the fast neutron beam facilities both at UCT and at iThemba LABS.

A large part of his life involves teaching physics to many students, and a dangerously high level of involvement in university management and administration.

​Inspirational Quote

“If you cannot measure it, you cannot improve it." - Lord Kelvin​